Freedom of Expression

Press Release R48-09

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PRESS RELEASE

Nº R48/09

 

OFFICE OF THE SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR FOR FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION

CONDEMNS MURDER OF JOURNALIST IN HONDURAS

 

 Washington, D.C, July 6, 2009 - The Office of the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) deplores the murder of Gabriel Fino Noriega, radio journalist, which occurred on July 3, 2009, in San Juan Pueblo, Honduras. In the current context of the coup d’ Etat and the interruption of the constitutional order, the murder of this reporter generates special concern. The Office of the Special Rapporteur urges to fully investigate the crime, to determine whether the murder was related to journalistic activity, and it calls to effectively and duly prosecute those responsible. Once again, the Office of the Special Rapporteur calls for the absolute respect of the right to freedom of expression, and demands to guarantee the security of reporters so they can work.

 

According to information released by the local press and non governmental organizations, on July 3, 2009, Fino Noriega was leaving radio Estelar, after his show, when an unidentified person shot him several times. The reporter, who was also correspondent at Radio América, died later.

 

Principle 9 of the Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression states that the "murder, kidnapping, intimidation of and/or threats against social communicators, as well as the material destruction of communications media, violates the fundamental rights of individuals and strongly restricts freedom of expression". Indeed, a situation of this nature not only affects the human rights of the victim, but it also generates a severe effect of intimidation which deeply affects the right to freedom of expression.

 

The Office of the Special Rapporteur reminds that on June 29, 2009, it strongly condemned the limitations to the freedom of expression in Honduras, after the coup d’ Etat and the interruption of the constitutional order in that country. The Office of the Special Rapporteur called for the absolute respect of the right to freedom of expression, which is in the base of the Inter-American system (Press Release R44-09). The Office of the Special Rapporteur has been following with special attention the increasing tension in Honduras after the coup d’Etat, particularly those situations related to freedom of expression and information. In that regard, the IACHR has granted precautionary measures to several reporters who were in risk, and has requested information on situations denounced as obstacles to the right to freedom of expression.

 

In this context demands again the absolute respect for the right to freedom of expression, and also demands that journalists and media outlets should have all the guarantees to perform their work with security and with freedom. In this regard, article 13 from the American Convention on Human Rights says that: "Everyone has the right to freedom of thought and expression. This right includes freedom to seek, receive, and impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless of frontiers, either orally, in writing, in print, in the form of art, or through any other medium of one's choice". The exercise of the right shall not be subject to prior censorship or may not be restricted by indirect methods or means.

 

For additional information about the Office of the Special Rapporteur or the advances cited herein: http://www.cidh.org/relatoria  Press Contact: Leticia Linn /  Tel. (202) 458-3796/  E-mail: [email protected]